Staggered Base Station Antenna Arrays for Phase Center Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of phase centers between adjacent arrays in beamforming base station antennas leads to increased mutual coupling and distortion of radiation patterns, complicating the design and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A staggered feeding configuration is implemented to align the phase centers of adjacent arrays by staggering the longitudinal positions of radiating elements, ensuring that sub-array phase centers are aligned, thereby reducing mutual coupling and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If arrays are closely spaced to enable wide beam scanning, then beam scanning capability is improved, but mutual coupling between radiating elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies staggered arrays in the longitudinal dimension to resolve the contradiction. By offsetting adjacent arrays along the longitudinal axis, the patent achieves both close transverse spacing (for wide beam scanning) and increased longitudinal separation (to reduce mutual coupling). This dimensional approach allows the antenna to scan beams over wide azimuth angles while maintaining element isolation through the staggered configuration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If arrays are staggered to reduce mutual coupling, then element isolation is improved, but phase center alignment between adjacent arrays deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the antenna system have different characteristics. Specifically, the feed network is designed with asymmetric configurations where inner feeds serve both inner and middle arrays, while outer feeds serve only outer arrays. This localized differentiation in feed assignment, combined with specific phase shifter settings, compensates for the phase center misalignment caused by staggering, allowing each local region to be optimized for its specific geometric relationship.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If staggered arrays are implemented to increase isolation, then element isolation is improved, but radiation pattern distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through its phase shifter system that compensates for the phase errors introduced by staggered array configuration. The phase shifters are configured to provide specific phase adjustments that counteract the phase center misalignment and resulting radiation pattern distortion. This active phase correction feedback mechanism allows the antenna to maintain accurate radiation patterns despite the geometric distortion introduced by staggering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances RF performance by minimizing phase center misalignment, reducing design complexity and costs, while maintaining effective beamforming capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Base station antennas are used to transmit radio frequency ('RF') signals to and receive RF signals from fixed and mobile users
Implementation Method 2
Each of the arrays 11 and 12 is fed by a phase shifter, and each sub-array is coupled to a corresponding output of the phase shifter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A base station antenna, comprising: a first array that includes a plurality of first radiating elements arranged along a longitudinal direction of the base station antenna; and a second array that includes a plurality of second radiating elements arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna, the second array transversely adjacent the first array, wherein the longitudinal position of each second radiating element is staggered from that of the corresponding first radiating element, wherein the first array comprises first and second sub-arrays, each of which comprises one or a plurality of adjacent first radiating elements, and wherein a phase center of the combination of the first and second sub-arrays is basically aligned with a sub-phase center of the second array.